Method for sorting and displaying symbols in a mobile communication terminal

ABSTRACT

A system for arranging symbols for display and selection in a mobile communication terminal is provided. The system comprises user interface configured for selecting a first symbol having a first display priority; and means for assigning a second display priority to a second symbol associated with the first symbol, wherein the second symbol is displayed according to the second display priority, in response to a request for displaying a symbol set.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/886,186, filed Jul. 6, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,600,196, whichpursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), claims the benefit of earlier filing dateand right of priority to Korean Application No. 2003-45124, filed onJul. 4, 2003, the content of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and moreparticularly, to a method of sorting display symbols in a mobilecommunication terminal.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Short messaging service (SMS) is a service that provides a mobile userwith the capability to communicate with another mobile user in writtenformat. In addition to text symbols, such as numbers and alphabet, manyusers now also include other symbols in their messages. These symbolscan range from graphic icons to special symbols used in financial oraccounting services, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 1D.

In the current systems, in order to enter a symbol into a message, auser first selects a symbol input menu. The menu includes a multitude ofsymbols that are selectable by way of a user interacting with adirection key. When the symbol is selected, the user can press a key toinput the symbol into the content of the message being edited at thattime.

Various symbols can be classified according to their features. Thus,when a user intends to input a specific symbol, the symbols can bedisplayed according to a set of selectable categories. FIGS. 1A to 1Dare diagrams of various categories of symbols in form of icons oremoticons that can be selected. Other types or categories of symbols maybe stored in a memory of the mobile terminal.

In order to access a particular symbol, a user will have to load thespecific symbol set or category in which the symbol is displayed. Whenthe number of symbols or categories is rather large, the burden is onthe user to browse through the multiple sets and categories to find theneeded symbol. This can be very inconvenient, especially if the usertends to use a few symbols more often than all the other symbols.

That is, the user will have to continuously browse through the symbolsets in order to find the category containing the most often usedsymbols. A system and method is needed that can allow a user to moreeasily access and select the most often used symbols.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method of arranging symbols for display on a computing device isprovided. The method comprises selecting a first symbol having a firstdisplay priority; and assigning a second display priority to a secondsymbol associated with the first symbol, wherein the second symbol isdisplayed according to the second display priority, in response to arequest for displaying a symbol set.

In one embodiment, the second symbol is a symbol most frequentlyselected in association with the first symbol. The first and secondsymbols are frequently selected in sequence to convey a meaning. Thesecond symbol is associated with the first symbol based on use historyof the first and second symbols together.

The second symbol is associated with the first symbol based on serialreference values assigned to the first and second symbols. The secondsymbol's display priority is closely associated with the first symbol'sdisplay priority, when the second symbol is selected after the firstsymbol. A symbol set is displayed containing the second symbol, inresponse to a request for selecting another symbol.

In one embodiment, the second display priority is a highest displaypriority in the symbol set. The first display priority is a highestdisplay priority in the symbol set, when the second symbol is selected.A priority category may comprise the first and second symbols. A firstsymbol set with a first priority category is displayed, in response to arequest for selecting a symbol when the mobile communication terminal isused to access a first service.

In another embodiment, a mobile communication terminal for displaying aplurality of symbol sets is provided. Each set comprising a plurality ofsymbols in a category. A method for arranging the plurality of symbolscomprises configuring one or more priority categories; assigning a firstpriority category to a first symbol based on use history of the firstsymbol; and displaying symbols assigned to the first category, when thefirst symbol is selected, in response to a request to select a secondsymbol.

The first symbol is added to a first symbol set based on the firstpriority category. The method may further comprise adding a secondsymbol associated with the first symbol to the first symbol set. Thesecond symbol is displayed in a most prominent position in the firstsymbol set. The second symbol is associated with the first symbol by wayof a serial reference value that is closely related to a serialreference value for the first symbol.

In one embodiment, the second symbol is assigned to a priority positionin the first symbol set, wherein the second symbol is displayed in amore prominent position than the first symbol. The second symbol may beassigned to a priority position higher than that of the first symbol.The first symbol set comprises a plurality of symbols associated witheach other based on use history. When the first symbol is selected fromthe first symbol set, the remaining symbols in the symbol set are sortedto be displayed in a more prominent position with respect to use historyof each remaining symbol in conjunction with the first symbol.

In accordance with one embodiment, a system for arranging symbols fordisplay and selection in a mobile communication terminal is provided.The system comprises user interface configured for selecting a firstsymbol having a first display priority; and means for assigning a seconddisplay priority to a second symbol associated with the first symbol,wherein the second symbol is displayed according to the second displaypriority, in response to a request for displaying a symbol set.

These and other embodiments of the invention will also become readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures,the invention not being limited to any particular embodiments disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIGS. 1A to 1D illustrate exemplary symbols provided by a symbol menu ina mobile terminal.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of symbol sorting system, according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of assigning a priority level to asymbol, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate exemplary symbol menus, in accordance with oneembodiment.

Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced bythe same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent,or similar features, elements, or aspects in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 2, a symbol sorting and display system, according toan embodiment of the invention comprises a key input unit 10, a categorymanaging unit 20, a display unit 30, a memory 40, and an associatedsymbol storage unit 50. The system of the invention executes assortingprocedure to display symbols when a user performs a short message entry,schedule entry, memo entry, or other data entry.

The key input unit 10 comprises a keypad, for example, on whichalphanumeric characters are printed. To input a specific symbol, a userinteracts with the key input unit 10 to select a symbol from an inputmenu viewable on display unit 30. For example, a user can press one ormore keys to activate the symbol input menu on the display unit 30.

Consequently, a multitude of symbols stored in the memory 40 aredisplayed on the display unit 30. In one embodiment, the categorymanaging unit 20 controls the order of display of symbols on the controlmenu and display screen 30. Symbols are sorted into a plurality ofcategories according to their features and are displayed in one or moresymbol sets accordingly. For example, the symbols may be sorted out intocategories such as a general symbol category, picture category, diagramcategory, measurement category, etc.

In one embodiment, the display order of the symbol may be reconfiguredby the system based on the frequency of use and relation to a previouslyselected symbol. That is, if one or more symbols are used often and/ortogether, the category managing unit 20 will remember the mostfrequently used symbols and will display said symbols before displayingother symbols stored in memory 40. As such, said symbols are assigned ahigher priority level and may be included separately in a prioritysymbol set, for example, that is displayed prior to all other symbolsets.

In another embodiment, after a user selects a first symbol, categorymanaging unit 20 determines a priority category set that includessymbols related to the first symbol. That is, the category managing unit20 examines the first symbol to determine to which category the firstsymbol belongs. Then, when the user wants to select another symbol, thecategory managing unit 20 causes the respective symbol set for thecorresponding category to be displayed.

For example, if the first symbol selected by the user belongs to a setunder picture category, then the next time the user interacts with themobile terminal to select a symbol, the symbols or sets in the picturecategory are displayed first, for example, even though the normal orderof display would be to display the general symbol set first.

Depending on implementation, several levels of related category sets maybe displayed in particular orders. In one embodiment, for example, ifthe first selected symbol is from category A, then category managingunit 20 causes a symbol set for category A symbols to be displayedfirst. If the displayed set is not a symbol set from which the userwants to select a symbol, then category managing unit 20 causes a symbolset for category B symbols to be displayed, where category B is relatedor associated to category A, and so on, according to the order ofpriority associated with the various symbol sets.

In one embodiment, a set in high priority category is stored in theassociated symbol storage unit 50. For example, the selected symbol maybe included in a first priority category and after the user has selectedthe first symbol, a second symbol expected to be related to the firstsymbol is included in the first priority category. A second symbol, oran associated symbol, is determined as related to the first symboleither based on a predefined relationship (e.g., both symbols belong toa picture category) or based on a serial relationship (e.g., the secondsymbol has an ASCII value or other serial reference value that isclosely related to a respective reference value assigned to the firstsymbol).

Accordingly, once a user selects a first symbol, the associated symbolsare registered to the priority category. Preferably, in configuring thepriority category, if a user selects one symbol-A, at least oneassociated symbol-B, expected to be used together with the selectedsignal-A, is included in the priority category so as to be registered topreferred position in the priority category.

In case that a user selects the symbol-B, a priority of symbols in thenext displayed priority category is decided by placing the formerselected signal-A in a preferred order and the signal-B in a nextpreferred order. That is, it is assumed if a user selects a symbol-A,the symbol-B will follow.

In one embodiment, if the user requests another symbol input byinitiating another task, order of display of symbol sets is adjusted inthe priority category, such that the symbol-A is placed in the mostpreferred order and symbol-B is placed at the next preferred order, forexample.

In the following, exemplary symbols are discussed for the purpose ofillustration. It is noteworthy, however, that in various implementationand depending on user selection other symbols may be used in otherembodiments of the invention.

Thus, for example, if a user selects a symbol ‘<’, it is highly probablethat a symbol ‘>’ as a associated symbol to the symbol ‘<’ will beselected after selection of the symbol ‘<’. Hence, the selected symboland its associated symbol are assigned a priority category together.That is, ‘>’ is assigned to the most preferential position in thepriority category. If the user selects ‘>’ as expected, ‘<’ and ‘>’ aresubsequently assigned to a first priority order and a second priorityorder in the priority category, respectively.

As another example, if a user selects a symbol ‘{circle around (b)}’, itis highly probable that serial symbols ‘{circle around (a)}’ or ‘{circlearound (c)}’ that are serially related to the symbol ‘{circle around(b)}’ will be used. Hence, in one embodiment, the user-selected symboland its serial symbols are designated to a priority category. Forexample, if it is highly probable that symbol ‘{circle around (c)}’ willbe used, the symbol ‘{circle around (c)}’ is registered to the mostpreferential position in the priority category. If a user selects symbol‘{circle around (c)}’ as expected, symbols ‘{circle around (b)}’ and‘{circle around (c)}’ are subsequently registered to a first priorityorder and a second priority order in the priority category,respectively. In another example, if a user selects symbol ‘{circlearound (c)}’ as expected, symbols ‘{circle around (a)}, {circle around(b)}, {circle around (c)}, . . . ’ are subsequently registered tosequential priority orders in the priority category, respectively to beapplied to a next display.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, in selecting a symbol set such as‘^*^’ the symbols are selected in order of ‘^’, ‘*’, and ‘^’. Thus, oncethe user uses the symbol set of ‘^*^’ a number of times, the symbol ‘^’is registered to a priority category and symbol ‘*’ is designated as aassociated symbol to be registered to a most preferential position inthe priority category. If the user selects symbol ‘*’ the symbol ‘^’ isregistered to the most preferential position in the priority category tobe applied to a next display.

In one embodiment, when a user selects one symbol, the associated symbolstorage unit 50 registers the selected/inputted symbol and/or itsassociated symbol to a priority category. The priority category issorted out more preferentially that other categories. In one embodiment,the latest used one of the symbols is assigned to the priority categoryor its associated symbol is sorted to be placed at the most preferentialposition in the priority category.

The display unit 30 displays each category according under the controlof the category managing unit 20. The memory 40 stores the prioritycategory configured according to the featured categories and the historyof symbols used by a user, for example.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in accordance with one embodiment, amethod of sorting display symbols is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, inorder for a user to input a message, the mobile terminal is switched toa message input mode (800). If the user selects a symbol input menu toselect and input a symbol into a message (810), the category managingunit 20 sequentially displays symbols and categories thereof, which arestored in the memory 40 as classified by category managing unit 20, onthe display unit 30 (820). In one embodiment, display categories differfrom each other in priority, thus the category having a highest priorityis displayed first.

When the mobile communication terminal is initially used, featuredcategories respectively having their predetermined priorities aresequentially displayed on the display unit 30. According to oneembodiment, after a user uses specific symbols, the priority categoriesare changed based on the most preferential order.

In one embodiment, when the user selects a special or specific symbolfrom a displayed category (830), the category managing unit 20configures a priority category including the specific symbol selected bythe user. In doing so, the priority of the selected symbol is promotedto a higher level or the most preferential position.

If a priority category is configured, the category managing unit 20registers or assigns the specific symbol selected by the user and anassociated symbol to a priority category (840). In some embodimentsassociated symbol storage unit 50 is used to store the associatedsymbols of the selected symbol in a priority category. Preferably, inone embodiment, the associated symbols of the specific symbol selectedby the user are registered to a first priority category. Thereafter, ifthe user selects the symbol menu to select another symbol, the categorymanaging unit 20 displays the priority symbol category before thedefault symbol category.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams of symbol sorting and display according toone embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4A shows the display content whenthe mobile communication terminal is in a message input mode for editinga short message. In this mode, a user interacts with key input unit 10on mobile terminal to activate a symbol menu, for example, by selectinga “symbol” button, as shown.

Referring to FIG. 4B, for example, the user may select an exclamationmark ‘!’ symbol to end a text message, by pressing the number 5 key onthe keypad, for example. Thereafter, based on a use history, a prioritycategory symbol list (e.g., ‘Favorite Symbols’) is displayed. The usermay interact with a direction key, for example, to view another symbollist, whereby featured categories having previously determinedpriorities are displayed according to their priorities, for example. Ifno use history is available, featured categories having previouslydetermined priorities are displayed according to their priorities,respectively.

In one embodiment, after a user has used a symbol, the symbol isregistered or assigned to the most prominent or highest position in thepriority category. For example, the exclamation mark is promoted fromfifth position, as shown in FIG. 4B to the first position in FIG. 4D. Asone symbol is arranged in the most prominent position of the prioritycategory, another symbol included in a previous priority category may bedeleted from the corresponding priority category. In such a case, if thesymbol not included in the priority category prior to the correspondingsorting is included in the corresponding priority category, one symbolarranged in at a least lower position is deleted from the prioritycategory.

Moreover, in case that one symbol included in the featured category isassigned to a priority category, the corresponding symbol is not deletedfrom the featured category. In other words, the priority category is aseparate category newly configured according to the history of user'ssymbol use.

In one embodiment, a specific symbol may be assigned to the prioritycategory together with the foregoing described associated symbols. Indoing so, symbols are deleted from the priority category as many as thesymbol registered to the priority category by the user's optional useand associated symbols with the registered symbol.

For example, if a user selects a symbol ‘{’ not previously included in apriority category, a correspondent symbol ‘}’ to ‘{’ is registered tothe priority category also. If the symbol ‘}’ had been included in aprevious priority category, another symbol at a lower position isdeleted from the priority category. For example, where the symbol ‘}’has a priority next to that of the symbol ‘{’, the symbol ‘{’ isarranged at a first priority position in the priority category and thecorrespondent symbol ‘}’ is placed at a second priority position next tothe first. On the other hand, if the symbol ‘}’ fails to be included inthe previous priority category, two symbols at least lower positions aredeleted from the priority category.

In another exemplary embodiment, if a user lately uses a symbol ‘{’ notpreviously included in a priority category, a correspondent symbol ‘}’to ‘{’ is registered to the priority category to have a mostpreferential priority. As such, the symbol ‘}’ is arranged at a firstpriority position in the priority category and the correspondent symbol‘}’ is deleted from the priority category or is placed at a secondpriority position next to the first.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, if a user uses a symbol ‘{circlearound (2)}’ not be previously included in a priority category, serialsymbols ‘{circle around (1)}’ and ‘{circle around (3)}’ to the symbol‘{circle around (2)}’ are registered to the priority categoryaltogether. If the user selects the symbol ‘{circle around (2)}’, it ishighly probable that a user subsequently selects the symbols ‘{circlearound (1)}’ and ‘{circle around (3)}’.

For example, if a user uses a symbol ‘{circle around (2)}’ notpreviously included in a priority category, serial symbols ‘{circlearound (1)}’ and ‘{circle around (3)}’ to the symbol ‘{circle around(2)}’ are registered to the priority category. Either the symbol‘{circle around (1)}’ or the symbol ‘{circle around (3)}’ has a mostpreferential priority. The symbol ‘{circle around (3)}’ is arranged at afirst priority position in the priority category since it is highlyprobable that the symbol ‘{circle around (3)}’ is used right after usingthe symbol ‘{circle around (2)}’. The symbol ‘{circle around (2)}’,which has been already used, is deleted from the priority category or issorted to be placed at the priority position next to those of the serialsymbols failing to be used yet.

In one embodiment, the number of the serial symbols to the specificsymbol may be directly set up by a user. The system sets one or moresymbols related to the specific symbol is set up to be registeredtogether with the specific symbol.

In another embodiment, a user selects one symbol from the previouslystored symbols via key operation, the selected symbol is used in a shortmessage (or, schedule storage, memo entry, etc.). A priority of theadopted symbol is adjusted higher than that of the previous one and thesymbol is adjusted to have a highest priority. Then, the stored symbolsare re-sorted according to the priority adjustment.

If the user intends to optionally input a predetermined symbol byselecting a symbol input menu later, the stored symbols, which areresorted in a manner that the used symbol is to have the highestpriority, are displayed via the display unit. In adjusting the priorityof the symbol adopted, a priority of a serial or correspondent symbol tothe upward adjusted symbol is simultaneously adjusted.

Preferably, in the invention, a associated symbol to the symbol selectedis adjusted to have a most preferential priority and the symbol selectedis adjusted to have a priority next to that of the associated symbol.For example, if a user uses a symbol ‘{’, its correspondent symbol ‘}’is adjusted to have a first priority that is the highest order and thesymbol ‘{’ is adjusted to have a second priority next to the first. If auser lately uses a symbol ‘{circle around (2)}’, at least one ofassociated symbols ‘{circle around (1)}’ and ‘{circle around (3)}’ tothe symbol ‘{circle around (2)}’ is adjusted to have a first priority,for example.

In the foregoing description, one symbol (A) and its associated symbolare the most frequently used symbols after a user has selected thesymbol (A). The category used in the invention corresponds to a symbolset including a multitude of symbols. Accordingly, the invention resortsthe symbol hierarchy in order of priority according to symbol usehistory, every time user composes a short message (or, schedule or memoentry, etc.). Therefore, the invention enables a user to input symbolsmore quickly.

Specifically, symbols frequently used by a user are classified into aseparate category so that the classified category is preferentiallydisplayed when the user selects a first symbol. The invention enables auser to select a specific symbol with a minimum key operation, therebyreducing the time for the symbol input and minimizing waste of effort.Moreover, a associated symbol with the selected symbol selected by theuser is preferably displayed for the next task.

The embodiments described above are to be considered in all aspects asillustrative only and not restrictive in any manner. Thus, otherexemplary embodiments, system architectures, platforms, andimplementations that can support various aspects of the invention may beutilized without departing from the essential characteristics describedherein. These and various other adaptations and combinations of featuresof the embodiments disclosed are within the scope of the invention. Theinvention is defined by the claims and their full scope of equivalents.

1. A method for arranging a plurality of symbols for display andselection in a mobile communication terminal, the method comprising:configuring the plurality of symbols into a plurality of symbol sets,wherein each one of the plurality of symbol sets comprises at least twosymbols and the plurality of symbol sets are configured to be displayedone by one in a predetermined sequence in response to a plurality ofsymbol requests, each one of the plurality of symbol sets beingdisplayed in response to a corresponding one of the plurality of symbolrequests; receiving a first symbol request; displaying a first symbolset in response to the first symbol request; receiving an input forselecting at least one of a plurality of symbols listed in the firstsymbol set; and displaying the selected at least one of the plurality ofsymbols in response to the input, wherein the first symbol set comprisesa user's last selected symbol and one or more symbols that are oftenused together with the last selected symbol, the one or more symbolsdetermined according to a history of the user's symbol use.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein displaying the first symbol set comprises:displaying a symbol set window, a symbol set title, at least onedirection arrow, and at least a portion of a message input window. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one direction arrow isdisplayed on a soft key menu below the symbol set window.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the mobile communication terminal comprises an inputkey that corresponds to each of the plurality of symbols displayed inthe plurality of symbol sets, the method further comprising receivingthe input via the input key.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein themobile communication terminal comprises a numeric key that correspondsto each of the plurality of symbols displayed in the plurality of symbolsets, the method further comprising receiving the input via the numerickey.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of symbol sets isselected from at least one of a general symbol category, picturecategory, diagram category and measurement category.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the predetermined sequence is configured based onfrequency of selection of each one of the plurality of symbol sets suchthat the predetermined sequence is reconfigured when the frequencychanges.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined sequence isconfigured in relation to a previously selected symbol such that thepredetermined sequence is reconfigured based upon the previouslyselected symbol.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:displaying a second symbol set when a second symbol request is receivedsuch that the first symbol set and the second symbol set are notdisplayed concurrently.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein numbers andalphabetical letters are printed on a keypad of the mobile communicationterminal such that the numbers and alphabetical letters are entered bydirectly receiving inputs via keys corresponding to the numbers andalphabetical letters, and the plurality of symbols are not printed onthe keypad.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of symbolsare selected and displayed to be entered into a message, a schedule, amemo, or data.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality ofsymbols are selected and displayed in text when the message is composed.13. The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile communication terminal isin a message input mode when the first symbol request is received. 14.The method of claim 1, further comprising: re-arranging the symbolslisted in the first symbol set when the at least one symbol, whichcomprises a first symbol, is selected.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein a position of the first symbol is changed when the symbolslisted in the first symbol set are re-arranged.
 16. The method of claim14, wherein at least one symbol previously listed in the first symbolset is deleted when the symbols listed in the first symbol set arere-arranged.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of symbolsare special symbols that exclude numbers and alphabetical letters. 18.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a second symbolrequest after the at least one of the plurality of symbols is selectedfrom the first symbol set and displayed; and displaying the first symbolset in response to the second symbol request.
 19. A method for arranginga plurality of symbol sets for display and selection in a mobilecommunication terminal, the method comprising: configuring a pluralityof symbols into the plurality of symbol sets, wherein each one of theplurality of symbol sets comprises at least two symbols and theplurality of symbol sets are configured to be displayed one by one in apredetermined sequence in response to a plurality of symbol requests,each one of the plurality of symbol sets being displayed in response tocorresponding one of the plurality of symbol requests; receiving a firstsymbol request to display one of the plurality of symbol sets; assigninga symbol set comprising a user's last selected symbol as a first symbolset to be displayed; displaying the first symbol set in response to thefirst symbol request; and displaying a second symbol set in response toa second symbol request such that the first symbol set and the secondsymbol are not displayed concurrently, wherein the predeterminedsequence is configured based on priorities of the plurality of symbolsets or in relation to a previously selected symbol such that thepredetermined sequence is reconfigured when the priorities change or isreconfigured based upon the previously selected symbol.
 20. The methodof claim 19, wherein the plurality of symbol sets are selected from atleast one of a general symbol category, picture category, diagramcategory and measurement category.
 21. The method of claim 19, whereinthe mobile communication terminal comprises an input key thatcorresponds to each of the plurality of symbols displayed in theplurality of symbol sets, the method further comprising receiving aninput for selecting at least one of a plurality of symbols listed in thefirst symbol set or the second symbol set via the input key.
 22. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising: displaying a symbol set window,a symbol set title, at least one direction arrow, and at least a portionof a message input window.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the firstsymbol set and the second symbol set, which is displayed after the firstsymbol set is displayed, are the same.
 24. The method of claim 19,wherein the mobile communication terminal is in a message input modewhen the symbol request is received.
 25. A mobile communication terminalfor arranging a plurality of symbols and a plurality of symbol sets fordisplay and selection, the mobile terminal comprising: a key input unitadapted to receive a user's symbol request; a selection unit adapted toselect a symbol set comprising the user's last selected symbol and oneor more symbols that are often used together with the last selectedsymbol is assigned as a first symbol set; and a display for displayingthe plurality of symbol sets one by one in a predetermined sequence inresponse to a plurality of symbol requests such that the first symbolset is displayed in response to a first symbol request and a secondsymbol set is displayed in response to a second symbol request, whereinthe mobile communication terminal is configured to: select at least oneof a plurality of symbols listed in the first symbol set or secondsymbol set in response to an input for selecting a symbol; and displaythe selected at least one symbol on the display, and wherein thepredetermined sequence is configured based on priorities of theplurality of symbol sets or in relation to a previously selected symbolsuch that the predetermined sequence is reconfigured when the prioritieschange or is reconfigured based upon the previously selected symbol. 26.The mobile communication terminal of claim 25, wherein the one or moresymbols are determined according to a history of the user's symbol use.27. The mobile communication terminal of claim 25, wherein the selectionunit comprises a category managing unit.
 28. The mobile communicationterminal of claim 27, further comprising an input key that correspondsto each of the plurality of symbols displayed in the plurality of symbolsets.
 29. The mobile communication terminal of claim 27, furthercomprising a numeric key that corresponds to each of the plurality ofsymbols displayed in the plurality of symbol sets.
 30. The mobilecommunication terminal of claim 25, wherein a display window of thedisplay displays a symbol set window, a symbol set title, at least onedirection arrow, and at least a portion of a message input window inresponse to the symbol request.
 31. The mobile communication terminal ofclaim 30, wherein another of the plurality of symbol sets is displayedupon selection of the at least one direction arrow.
 32. The mobilecommunication terminal of claim 30, wherein the at least one directionarrow is displayed on a soft key menu below the symbol set window. 33.The mobile communication terminal of claim 25, wherein the first symbolset and the second symbol set are the same when the second symbolrequest is a symbol request that is received after the first symbolrequest.
 34. The mobile communication terminal of claim 25, wherein themobile communication terminal is in a message input mode when the user'ssymbol request is received via the key input unit.
 35. A method forarranging a plurality of symbols for display and selection in a mobilecommunication terminal, the method comprising: configuring the pluralityof symbols into a plurality of symbol sets, wherein each one of theplurality of symbol sets comprises at least two symbols; entering amessage input mode and displaying a message input window; receiving afirst symbol request in the message input mode to add a symbol selectedfrom one of the plurality of symbol sets into a message to betransmitted from the mobile communication terminal to a receiving mobilecommunication terminal; displaying a plurality of symbols belonging to afirst symbol set in response to the first symbol request; receiving asecond symbol request while the plurality of symbols belonging to thefirst symbol set is displayed; displaying a plurality of symbolsbelonging to a second symbol set in response to the second symbolrequest, wherein the plurality of symbols belonging to the first symbolset and the plurality of symbols belonging to the second symbol set arenot displayed concurrently; receiving an input for selecting one of thedisplayed plurality of symbols listed in the second symbol set; addingthe selected one of the plurality of symbols to the first symbol set ifthe selected one of the plurality of symbols is not included in thefirst symbol set or repositioning the selected one of the plurality ofsymbols in the first symbol set if the selected one of the plurality ofsymbols is included in the first symbol set; and displaying the selectedone of the plurality of symbols in the message input window in responseto the input.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the added orrepositioned one of the plurality of symbols is placed at a firstposition in the first symbol set.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein atleast one symbol in the first symbol set is deleted from the firstsymbol set when the selected one of the plurality of symbols is added tothe first symbol set and the deleted at least one symbol is placed at alast position in the first symbol set prior to the addition of theselected one of the plurality of symbols to the first symbol set. 38.The method of claim 37, wherein symbols in the first symbol set aredisplayed in order from the first position to the last position, alatest used symbol being displayed at the first position.
 39. The methodof claim 35, wherein the first symbol request is received via a firstkey and the second symbol request is received via a second key that isdifferent from the first key.
 40. The method of claim 35, furthercomprising: displaying a first identifier corresponding to the firstsymbol set and a second identifier corresponding to the second symbolset concurrently in response to the first symbol request.
 41. The methodof claim 40, wherein the first identifier and the second identifier arenot displayed in the message input mode prior to receipt of the firstsymbol request.
 42. The method of claim 40, wherein the displayed firstidentifier is stylistically distinguishable from the displayed secondidentifier when the plurality of symbols belonging to the first symbolset are displayed.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the firstidentifier is displayed in a first style and the second identifier isdisplayed in a second style.
 44. The method of claim 43, furthercomprising: displaying a third identifier concurrently with the firstidentifier and the second identifier, wherein the third identifiercorresponding to a third symbol set is displayed in the second stylewhen the plurality of symbols belonging to the first symbol set aredisplayed.
 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the first identifier, thesecond identifier, the third identifier, and the plurality of symbolsbelonging to the first symbol set are displayed concurrently when thefirst symbol request is received.
 46. The method of claim 44, furthercomprising: receiving a third symbol request while the plurality ofsymbols belonging to the first symbol set are displayed; and displayinga plurality of symbols belonging to the third symbol set in response tothe third symbol request, wherein a style of the displayed thirdidentifier is changed from the second style to the first style when theplurality of symbols belonging to the third symbol set are displayed.47. A method for storing and displaying symbols used for a messagetransmitted by a mobile communication terminal, the method comprising:displaying a message input screen; displaying a symbol input menu thatincludes a plurality of categories and a first symbol set of a pluralityof symbol sets in response to a first input, wherein the first symbolset includes at least one symbol and is associated with a first categoryof the plurality of categories; displaying a second symbol set of theplurality of symbol sets that is associated with a second category inresponse to a second input, the first symbol set being replaced by thesecond symbol set; and entering a symbol selected from the second symbolset in the message to be transmitted in response to a third input,wherein: the selected symbol is assigned to a highest priority positionin a priority category symbol set when the third input is received; thepriority category symbol set comprises at least one symbol that isassigned to the priority category symbol set based on a use history; andthe priority category symbol set is not the same as the first symbol setand the second symbol set.